1992 Warbirds Directory

The world may be in the grip of financial woes but the warbird movement has not stopped as a result. It may, however, have slightly slowed down. There have been changes of ownership of some aircraft due to tough times but considering the cost of some of these aircraft the number of changes have not been as great as one might expect.

The new listing has not only seen an increase in numbers but also the clear message is that jets are here to stay. As an example look at the numbers of MiGs, Vampires and Cessna Dragonflies that are either in service or under restoration. Jets are bound to increase as supply becomes more generally available and the numbers of older, big piston singles are harder to come by at the right price.

Another growth area is in the piston engined trainer types.

One only has to look at the numbers of Winjeels and T-6 variants. Economy warbirds as someone so aptly put it. Since the last listing there has not only been a good number of machines imported but a few aircraft have also been exported. One can argue for and against exports all day and in the end still not come to a clear verdict.

On another aspect, it is to be noted that the local scene has been remarkably free of major warbird accidents. May this long continue.

There have been a few cases of engine problems that have resulted in the grounding of the aircraft until fixed but these have been small in comparison to the satisfactory operation of the majority of local warbirds. It is to be pointed out that the listing contains only known warbird aircraft that are presently flying or are seriously under restoration to flyable status. Permanently static exhibits are not listed. Light trainers and Liason aircraft are also not included. Some transports, but not all, are listed. News and information about these other types will continue to be presented in the regular Warbirds column.

As with any listing of this type some of the changes require explanation and comment:

Bell UH-lB VH-NVV of the RAN Historic Flight is a newcomer and uses the registration previously reserved for the Navy’s Historic Flight DH Sea Venom, WZ895. Beaufighter A8-384 is still in Australia although another Beau in rebuild kit form was recently exported to the UK.

CAC Mustang A68-137 is close to flying again. At present at Townsville, Qld, the machine has in the past had the marking VH-PPV reserved for it although the RA AF says that this is not the case. Time will tell. Mustang A68-190 has been deleted as it has now gone to be displayed at the Williamtown fighterworld exhibit. This was the aircraft that was stopped from being exported to the UK some years back.

Cessna Dragonflies are now on both sides of the Tasman and the first Australian machine has just flown. Tim Wallis’ big bent-wing fighter, the F4U-1 Corsair sounds as good as it looks. A unique early model with a framed canopy.

The number of Kittyhawk series aircraft has grown in the last few years although it will be a few years before a substantial number are back in the air. Major rebuilds of warbirds take time and cost megadollars. ZK-FRYis an interesting newcomer in that it made its first post-rebuild flight on Saturday April 18 at the Wanaka Airshow (refer p25 June 92 AA). The last time it flew, and crashed, was during WWII!

Curtiss P-40E, A29-133, is currently the subject of an ownership dispute. The AWM has made contractual arrangements to obtain the aircraft and while possession has not been taken it could well be that the marking V H-NRW will never be taken up. Meanwhile, Douglas C-47s that carry military paint schemes and follow the warbird circuit have been included for the first time. A65-71 is interesting in that while it carries the marking VH-CIN it is not on the civil register.

Hawker Sea Fury VH-HFX has been deleted following its export to the UK. The Lodestar will probably continue to operate in Australia under its American registration for a while yet. Four MiG-15s are flying, out of the total of 10 now in the country. Registrations have been reserved for the two stored Treloar MiGs but as yet which marking is applicable to which machine is unknown.

The two Kenny MiG-15 aircraft have been in storage since their low key arrival in 1990. The same applies to the Kenny MiG-17, a genuine Russian aircraft, and the former Philippines T-28D. The four MiG-21PFF aircraft previously listed have been deleted as have, unfortunately, four NA built Mustangs. Neither import took place.

North American Mustang A68-674 has been included although it seems unlikely to carry the marking,VH-CVA, reserved for it. The aircraft was sent to the USA for a rebuild to flying condition and would appear to be staying there. Mustang A68-750 has recently had the marking V H-POB reserved for it although it will be a number of years before it takes this up. The aircraft comprises an incomplete fuselage found in the USA, and is still there. When rebuilt it will fly on a set of CAC built wings.

Spitfires are a breed all of their own. Several new projects are listed. Peter Croser’s BL628 has gone to the UK and been replaced by two new Spit projects.